Safe use of stainless steel

As stainless steel is inert and non-reactive when employed correctly, health and safety impacts are extremely limited. This is why stainless steel is so widely used in medical appliances and for equipment and tools in the food processing industry where health and safe use are of the utmost importance. Nevertheless issues that affect health and safety are important – not only during the process of manufacturing stainless steel, but also when our customers are processing the material, when stainless steel products are used and when they are eventually recycled and remelted.

Recent testing program on metal release from established stainless steel grades in contact with food confirmed that stainless steel is suitable as a food contact material. We have also tested some of our newly developed stainless steel grades for food contacts. The results revealed that these new grades are as well suited for food contacts as the more established stainless steel grades. On top of testing, there is a long-term experience of using stainless steel in a wide variety of applications.

We provide technical data sheets on each grade

Outokumpu manufactures stainless steel grades that are standardized and proven to be safe for their recommended use. The Safety Information Sheet provides information on substances contained in the material as well as advice on safety measures to be employed when handling stainless steel. The safety information is provided in accordance with REACH requirements to supply sufficient information to permit safe use and disposal of articles. The information is regularly reviewed and updated.

We offer include detailed information on the chemical and technical properties of each stainless steel grade. The safety information sheets provide information on substances contained in the material and safety measures to be employed when handling stainless steel.

LINKS:

> Technical data sheets (EU)> Material safety data sheets (US)

Full compliance with REACH, GADSL, RoHS and WEEE requirements

Outokumpu products do not contain substances of very high concern or SVHCs (as defined by the REACH legislations), nor do they contain any GADSL prohibited substances. Our products comply fully with the following EU directives:

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About Outokumpu

Outokumpu is the global leader in stainless steel. Our customers use it to create civilization’s basic structures and its most famous landmarks. Stainless steel is sustainable, durable and designed to last forever.

We aim to be the best value creator in stainless by 2020, through our competitive edge of customer orientation and efficiency. The foundation of our business is our ability to tailor stainless steel into any form and for almost any purpose.

Outokumpu employs 10,000 professionals in more than 30 countries, with headquarters in Helsinki, Finland and shares listed in Nasdaq Helsinki.

Recycling maximized

Stainless steel is 100% recyclable. It is the most recycled material in the world, and its quality is preserved in the process.

Our stainless steel contains the highest proportion of recycled content on the market, and we keep pushing this further to conserve virgin raw materials. Increasing the share of recycled material is the single most effective measure to reduce our environmental impact.

Using Outokumpu’s stainless steel decreases our customer's own carbon footprint and that of their customers.